macca888

No hes not. The view he expressed is based on his own ignorance not what I actually said, and I said above Im not restating my starting position again. I signed up to this board to discuss NUFC not to engage in infantile you said I said debates and play silly word games. I have no doubt the current views on Hughton will be very different next season. Even if he does a good job we are going to lose a lot of games and these pages will be full of complaints about the players hes picking and tactics hes adopting. Theres been plenty of them this season and its only now that promotion is in the bag that the love in has started. Its easy to be wise after the event, to sit on the fence and back the winning horse after its crossed the line. Its also about as interesting as Ryans Taylor sphincter, which is why the fence sitters have to resort to glib on liners, petty insults and demands for written proof in triplicate. So with this in mind Im going to bid NO fair well until next season, when well be able to see who was right, who was wrong and who is just plain fickle. This forum is based mon opinions and you have every right to voice yours, just as I have for mine. To suggest infantile comments is just being silly. Some of the vew points you have come up with are based on your own negativity without a shred of evidence to support it. People on here might well have complained early on about Hughton but there was just as many people who were prepared to defend him too. He admitted that sometimes, he had to win ugly. You didnt hear the Arsenal fans complaining when George Graham won the title with a game plan based on stopping goals rather than scoring goals by the shedful. Newcastle fans are notoriously difficult fans to please. If they are not playing quick, fast flowing attacking football and winning 4-0, many of them are not happy. However, rather than look at the average tunnell visioned supporter who loves the Keegan way, try looking from a peripheral vision way instead. You dont win trophies by losing 4-3 at Anfield but you can win trophies by winning 1-0 at Cardiff, Sheffield United and PNE. What I am saying is that Hughton set his stall out to win or draw ugly away from home but turn it on for full points at home. He has on;y failed to achieve this at home, 4 times out of 20 and in some of those games, bad luck and bad referreeing stopped us from getting all the points.

Also says the senior vangard of players that have taken efforts to right the dressing room are Nolan, Harper and Smith... no mention of Butt who has no leadership qualities IMO. Excellent article and only enforces much of what we already suspected. The quiet man attitude of the manager and the determination of togetherness of the players has put the club in a new light. Hopefully, long may this continue. MALANDRO...............Maybe this article might allay many of your fears for the future. If anything it reinforces them but I wouldnt expect you to understand. You must be joking, pal. So, you cannot see from that report who is in control? You think that players showing admiration for a manager is actually a form of player power? f*** me, you are right, I dont understand your train of thoughts on this. What I read is a self obsessed view of why weve been promoted. A view that fails to acknowledge the relative inferiority of the opposition faced, the relatively small budgets they have operate under. To completely ignore these factors not only implies a lack of awareness but also a culture of complacency. I fear that underneath the sound bites they have started to believe their own hype. I hope Im wrong because if they have next season is going to be as tough as this one has been easy. Let me just enlighten you further on this point of so called self obsession. First of all, it has been a more physically tougher division to play in for these players, something which few have experienced before. Budgets go out of the window when you are entering the unknown. If you had an extensive knowledge of football, you would understand that confidence, rather than budgets, is the main route to success on the football field. I doubt that the likes of Jonas, Colo, Enrique etc would particularly enjoy playing at Scunthorpe on a cold wet freezing tuesday night against opposition with limited or lesser ability than them. But they did and they lost, part of the learning curve of football life. Furthermore, most of the clubs look upon playing NUFC as their own particular cup final therefore raise their games, particualrly in front of their own fans. We have only lost 4 (FOUR) games this season which is proof alone of the determination, effort, ability and spirit that has been instilled into our players. You are also happily, it seems, to disregard the absolute mayhem and despondency our club was in right at the start of the season and still you fail to give credit where it is deserved. Unless you are the Lord God almighty, you have no idea what will happen next season. Go back to the Keegan days in 1992, I doubt anyone would have expected us to finish 3rd in our first season back in the big time. Whilst I know it is different now, most people on here would be pleasantly surprised if we finished around 10th next season and continue to build on that. That would be one hell of an achievement. By the way, I read no evidence in that article of players or management being complacent or believing their own hype at all. In fact, more so than ever, my interpretation of it all was the re-building of confidence of a club that , not 12 months ago, was teetering on the edge of the abyss. I doubt any one of the players at our club believe next season will be easy. I doubt the management team vbelieve it either and I fully expect all concerned to understand that a gradual improvement is necessary and that, after relegation last year, Newcastle United does not have the divine right to premiership status. Your problem is a mixture of negativity and being unrealistic. You appear to have little confidence in either the players or the manager next season. The reality is that both sets of employees will be staying and as has been stated time and time again by them, they want to work hard to right the wrongs. At least give them all the benefit of the doubt until they either achieve their aims or fail in their plans. I, for one, think the club will rise from the ashes of the fire sales of last summer and be a lot stronger in the premiership without those big noters and cowards who were largely responsible for taking us down.

Malandro Yawn all you like, mate, but Cajun is spot on

Also says the senior vangard of players that have taken efforts to right the dressing room are Nolan, Harper and Smith... no mention of Butt who has no leadership qualities IMO. Excellent article and only enforces much of what we already suspected. The quiet man attitude of the manager and the determination of togetherness of the players has put the club in a new light. Hopefully, long may this continue. MALANDRO...............Maybe this article might allay many of your fears for the future. If anything it reinforces them but I wouldnt expect you to understand. You must be joking, pal. So, you cannot see from that report who is in control? You think that players showing admiration for a manager is actually a form of player power? Fuck me, you are right, I dont understand your train of thoughts on this.

For the last time. Im not questioning that hes done a good job, because he has. Im questioning how good a job hes done as this will have a major bearing on the fortunes of NUFC next season. I would imagine that he would have liked to do more things this season to be successful but couldnt due to the restraints set upon him. Having achieved promotion so emphatically has more than likely improved the confidence the owner has in him therefore possibly lifting some of the restraints, allowing him to bring in more players to strenghen the squad further. Noone knows what will happen next season but everything points to the club being healthier both on and off the field without being financially stupid in signing players. It is clear that both Hughton and Calderwood are quiet achievers and whilst novices in the management side of things, their knowledge of club football at the highest level is second to none. If backed sensibly by the owner, I have faith in seeing these men lead the club to better times. Like most on here, miracles are not expected but steady progression over the next few seasons would be enough as long as we learn, as a club, from the owner downwards, from last seasons mistakes.

Also says the senior vangard of players that have taken efforts to right the dressing room are Nolan, Harper and Smith... no mention of Butt who has no leadership qualities IMO. Excellent article and only enforces much of what we already suspected. The quiet man attitude of the manager and the determination of togetherness of the players has put the club in a new light. Hopefully, long may this continue. MALANDRO...............Maybe this article might allay many of your fears for the future.

Mealandro One other thing, we signed 6 players in January, not 4. Two of these were on loan and proved to be excellent short term additions in Hall and Van Aanholt. Simpson, Routledge, Williamson and Best were the others. Just thought maybe you had forgotten about the loaners.

Thats knee jurk if ever isaw it, and who ever said he was top notch. Just enjoy it instead of getting your knickers in a twist The only people getting their knickers in a twist are those who cant accept any opinion that diverges from the partyline. If you choose to swallow all the gumpf thats been written about Hughton this season thats your prerogative. I prefer to give him credit for what hes done this season and wait until hes proven himself in more testing circumstances before getting a stiffy. You are playng both sides of the fence here, bonny lad. You are prepared to give him credit (wow, this is big of you) but you would actually rather someone else as manager (hopefully Ashley isnt rading your opinions). Facts are this: He took over a depleted squad bewildered by the events of last season, Had no money to spend last summer. Worked on a week by week contract, as did Calderwood. Lost most of his star names, fortunately. Lost his most influential striker early Forced to play a kid on his own up front but still got results. Spent limited funds in January wisely continued to gain results and top of the league. gelled his squad together despite difficult periods of losing further influential players, Taylor, Barton, Colo, Enrique, Smith etc Improved the standard of football especially at hoime as season has gone on. ONLY LOST FOUR LEAGUE GAMES ALL SEASON Only lost once in thne last 26 league games. Despite losing quality defenders, has best defensive record in the division Has the only unbeaten home record in all divisions will be promoted with at least 5 games of the season left to play. Possibly smash 100 points record and 90 goals for season AND YOU GRUDGINGLY DEEM SOME CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mate, you know jackshit about football and would be more suited to ready steady go or whatever those philistines 12 miles down the road are called. If you accept we probably started season with the best squad in the division then the key task at hand was to motivate them. Now as an unremarkable pre-season programme drew to an end the highly motivated and well organised team that Hughton was managing went to Leyton Orient, and got thrashed 6-1. This prompted the now legendary youre with us or not players meeting, where it would seem a group of senior players (Nolan, Butt and Smith?) decided to take matters into their own hands. We know this to be true as its been put forward as the catalyst for the superb team spirit by the players themselves on numerous occasions. Hughton can take credit for going with the flow, perhaps even spotting when he was onto a good thing and creating an environment where the players resolve didnt waiver when we hit a long losing streak. However, anyone who knows jackshit about football knows its a very thin line between the players having a healthy input and the losing control. Its worked this season and Hughton can take credit for this. He can also take credit for buying a right winger and moving Guthrie inside, as we all thought Guthries best position was wide right and having two plodders in central midfield was the best thing since sliced bread did we not? Next season will be a totally different proposition. The players will think that wrongs have been righted, that they are back where they belong. The motivational spur they had this season will be gone. No doubt theyll set a new target but when they lose a game it wont be as easy to bounce back. Confidence will be eroded and taking the lads ten pin bowling wont restore it. Hughton will have to motivate players who motivated themselves this season, he might be up to the job or he might not. Theres also the issue of bringing in new players would he, for example, have the balls to replace Nolan and Smith, and will this seasons togetherness remain if two of its main protagonists find themselves out of the team for long stretches. Hughton has succeeded this season by being a pragmatist, which is obviously his natural way of doing things. What we dont know is to what extent he shaped events and to what extent he was led by them. As I keep saying, hes done enough to lead us into next season but question marks remain. [/quote) Much of what you say about so called player power is absolute nonsense and heresay. Yes, you are probably right that there is a group of players who form a committee in motivation as well as many other facets of playing for the club, including tickets on matchdays, organiosing social turns etc etc etc. If you read Roy Keanes biography, you will see it happens at Manchester United as well as most other clubs. This is not to say that the players pick the team. What is happening at NUFC now is no different to what was happening several years ago under SBR with the likes of Shearer, Given, Speed etc dealing with certain matters as detailed above. The Orient event was well documented in the papers but do you believe everything you read? Are you saying the players themselves sorted the problems out? Absoluite rubbish. You seem to be basiing much of your opinion on the fact the Hughton is a mild mannered man, not subject to rants and ravings like many of his predessors in the job. It has been stated on several occasions by many players at the club this season, and in particular by Nolan, Smith and Harper, even young Ranger, that Hughton has a temper on him and uses it when it matters. As for the squad at the beginning of the season, just a reminder that the club lost Owen, Viduka, Martins, Beye, Edgar and several others without replacing them. Many people, including yourself, have been happy to slate the likes of Butt, Nolan, Smith and Ameobi on here, but this is what we were left with and on;y the likes of Lovenkrands coming in without a pre season behind him. The squad was thin, so thin that for the majority of the first few games, Ranger led the line and we had the likes of Lua Lua, Donaldson, Tozer and Vukic on the bench. Several of these kids actually played. So, yes, we had the strongest squad in the division, didnt we? Stronger than WBA for example!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. You might want to cast your mind back also to the injuries suffered by the likes of Colo, Taylor, Barton etc, further reducing the strength of the squad. Admittedly, we got Harewood and Khiz in but do you really believe they enhanced the quality? Furthermore, credit should be given to Hughton and Ashley for spending money on the 6 players they brought in when money was clearly tight. This has been the undoing of Forest. If they had done something similar, they might well be closer to us. Furthermore, do you honestly think a group of 4 would select the team and at the same time, keep total harmony throughout the club? It would be total anarchy and I cannot see Ashley or Hughton standing for it. I am a coach myself and have run many teams. There is nothing wrong with having trusted lieutenants out on the park, motivating and ensuring players perform to their best. Part of our problem last year was that we had an inept captain in Michael Owen and very few others stepped up to the plate. This year, we seem to have a hell of a lot of leaders out there, all answering the call to alms and leading by example. If we had this last year, we might not have got relegated. Oh, and getting back to my original point of squad strength, didnt we also lose Duff on transfer deadline day after he scored the equaliser at WBA and failed to replace him too. What happened after the Leyton Orient fiasco isnt hearsay, the players have been banging about it all season. Its been this seasons mantra. I didnt ask why it took this humiliating defeat to prompt the club into dealing with the team spirit issue. Perhaps as a coach yourself you can tell us why Hughton did nothing about it earlier? The rest of your post is old ground and not worth going over again. However I will add that I never said the players were picking the team, we only bought four players in January and the Sunday League isnt professional football. First of all, at Leyton Orient, we still had the likes of Beye, Martins and Duff playing for the club. It was apparently obvious to all who wanted to play and who didnt. You have absolutely no evidence at all to support your opinion that Hughton just walked away and left the decision making to the players. If he had done that, he would have lost the respect of ALL the players. This day was obviously the straw that broke the camel's back when it was decided that those like Martins, Duff and Beye had to go. At the time, Hughton could not dictate who , would leave until offers came in such as Duff to Fulham after the season had started. It was obvious at the time that noone knew if they were coming or going until the transfer deadline had passed as evidenced by the ongoing saga of whether Taylor would move to Everton or not. Considering the fact he wasnt allowed to sign any players left the squad virtually see through, never mind thin. Can you answer this question honestly? Did you expect the club to get promotion before the WBA game away, first game of the season? If your answer is yes, you would be the only poster on here who thought so. If your answer is no, then you must have thought our squad wasnt the strongest therefore contradicting your own current statement. The rest of my post might be old hat, but the facts dont lie and Hughton has exceeded everyones expectations this year and as several other posters on this thread have commented, improved as a manager the longer the season has gone on . Finally, as you dont know me, you have no idea who or what I have coached. You would be very surprised if I told you, suffice to say, that I have coached professional football at a level considerably higher than your local tyneside sunday league, so I have a lot of experience in dealing with footballing matters from a coaching/management perspective therefore I know what it is like to deal with individuals, factions and how to use the players self motivation to get the best out of them. Hughton has shown admirable qualities, both on and off the park this season and I dont see why the experience he has encountered this season, will not stand him in good stead next season. Or would you mrather have Kinnear, Allardyce, Roeder or god forbid, Shearer in charge?

Actually heard they were coming to Oz via south east asia

Butt will retire and Best clearly isnt good enough but the rest, including Raylor, can do a job when called upon.

I agree with every word in that post. Aye. He has done a great job this season and he deserves everything that comes his way, but if things start to go wrong how will people inevitably deal with it... In my opinion, the current squad, with a bit of tinkering, in other words, a couple of players out and about 5 in, will be good enouigh for a midtable position next season. I dont expect us to match the top 10, but I cant see any reason why we couldnt handle the likes of Hull Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn, Stoke, Wigan, Sunderland, WBA and West Ham and one or two others.

Thats knee jurk if ever isaw it, and who ever said he was top notch. Just enjoy it instead of getting your knickers in a twist The only people getting their knickers in a twist are those who cant accept any opinion that diverges from the partyline. If you choose to swallow all the gumpf thats been written about Hughton this season thats your prerogative. I prefer to give him credit for what hes done this season and wait until hes proven himself in more testing circumstances before getting a stiffy. You are playng both sides of the fence here, bonny lad. You are prepared to give him credit (wow, this is big of you) but you would actually rather someone else as manager (hopefully Ashley isnt rading your opinions). Facts are this: He took over a depleted squad bewildered by the events of last season, Had no money to spend last summer. Worked on a week by week contract, as did Calderwood. Lost most of his star names, fortunately. Lost his most influential striker early Forced to play a kid on his own up front but still got results. Spent limited funds in January wisely continued to gain results and top of the league. gelled his squad together despite difficult periods of losing further influential players, Taylor, Barton, Colo, Enrique, Smith etc Improved the standard of football especially at hoime as season has gone on. ONLY LOST FOUR LEAGUE GAMES ALL SEASON Only lost once in thne last 26 league games. Despite losing quality defenders, has best defensive record in the division Has the only unbeaten home record in all divisions will be promoted with at least 5 games of the season left to play. Possibly smash 100 points record and 90 goals for season AND YOU GRUDGINGLY DEEM SOME CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mate, you know jackshit about football and would be more suited to ready steady go or whatever those philistines 12 miles down the road are called. If you accept we probably started season with the best squad in the division then the key task at hand was to motivate them. Now as an unremarkable pre-season programme drew to an end the highly motivated and well organised team that Hughton was managing went to Leyton Orient, and got thrashed 6-1. This prompted the now legendary youre with us or not players meeting, where it would seem a group of senior players (Nolan, Butt and Smith?) decided to take matters into their own hands. We know this to be true as its been put forward as the catalyst for the superb team spirit by the players themselves on numerous occasions. Hughton can take credit for going with the flow, perhaps even spotting when he was onto a good thing and creating an environment where the players resolve didnt waiver when we hit a long losing streak. However, anyone who knows jackshit about football knows its a very thin line between the players having a healthy input and the losing control. Its worked this season and Hughton can take credit for this. He can also take credit for buying a right winger and moving Guthrie inside, as we all thought Guthries best position was wide right and having two plodders in central midfield was the best thing since sliced bread did we not? Next season will be a totally different proposition. The players will think that wrongs have been righted, that they are back where they belong. The motivational spur they had this season will be gone. No doubt theyll set a new target but when they lose a game it wont be as easy to bounce back. Confidence will be eroded and taking the lads ten pin bowling wont restore it. Hughton will have to motivate players who motivated themselves this season, he might be up to the job or he might not. Theres also the issue of bringing in new players would he, for example, have the balls to replace Nolan and Smith, and will this seasons togetherness remain if two of its main protagonists find themselves out of the team for long stretches. Hughton has succeeded this season by being a pragmatist, which is obviously his natural way of doing things. What we dont know is to what extent he shaped events and to what extent he was led by them. As I keep saying, hes done enough to lead us into next season but question marks remain. [/quote) Much of what you say about so called player power is absolute nonsense and heresay. Yes, you are probably right that there is a group of players who form a committee in motivation as well as many other facets of playing for the club, including tickets on matchdays, organiosing social turns etc etc etc. If you read Roy Keanes biography, you will see it happens at Manchester United as well as most other clubs. This is not to say that the players pick the team. What is happening at NUFC now is no different to what was happening several years ago under SBR with the likes of Shearer, Given, Speed etc dealing with certain matters as detailed above. The Orient event was well documented in the papers but do you believe everything you read? Are you saying the players themselves sorted the problems out? Absoluite rubbish. You seem to be basiing much of your opinion on the fact the Hughton is a mild mannered man, not subject to rants and ravings like many of his predessors in the job. It has been stated on several occasions by many players at the club this season, and in particular by Nolan, Smith and Harper, even young Ranger, that Hughton has a temper on him and uses it when it matters. As for the squad at the beginning of the season, just a reminder that the club lost Owen, Viduka, Martins, Beye, Edgar and several others without replacing them. Many people, including yourself, have been happy to slate the likes of Butt, Nolan, Smith and Ameobi on here, but this is what we were left with and on;y the likes of Lovenkrands coming in without a pre season behind him. The squad was thin, so thin that for the majority of the first few games, Ranger led the line and we had the likes of Lua Lua, Donaldson, Tozer and Vukic on the bench. Several of these kids actually played. So, yes, we had the strongest squad in the division, didnt we? Stronger than WBA for example!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. You might want to cast your mind back also to the injuries suffered by the likes of Colo, Taylor, Barton etc, further reducing the strength of the squad. Admittedly, we got Harewood and Khiz in but do you really believe they enhanced the quality? Furthermore, credit should be given to Hughton and Ashley for spending money on the 6 players they brought in when money was clearly tight. This has been the undoing of Forest. If they had done something similar, they might well be closer to us. Furthermore, do you honestly think a group of 4 would select the team and at the same time, keep total harmony throughout the club? It would be total anarchy and I cannot see Ashley or Hughton standing for it. I am a coach myself and have run many teams. There is nothing wrong with having trusted lieutenants out on the park, motivating and ensuring players perform to their best. Part of our problem last year was that we had an inept captain in Michael Owen and very few others stepped up to the plate. This year, we seem to have a hell of a lot of leaders out there, all answering the call to alms and leading by example. If we had this last year, we might not have got relegated. Oh, and getting back to my original point of squad strength, didnt we also lose Duff on transfer deadline day after he scored the equaliser at WBA and failed to replace him too.

Thats knee jurk if ever isaw it, and who ever said he was top notch. Just enjoy it instead of getting your knickers in a twist The only people getting their knickers in a twist are those who cant accept any opinion that diverges from the partyline. If you choose to swallow all the gumpf thats been written about Hughton this season thats your prerogative. I prefer to give him credit for what hes done this season and wait until hes proven himself in more testing circumstances before getting a stiffy. You are playng both sides of the fence here, bonny lad. You are prepared to give him credit (wow, this is big of you) but you would actually rather someone else as manager (hopefully Ashley isnt rading your opinions). Facts are this: He took over a depleted squad bewildered by the events of last season, Had no money to spend last summer. Worked on a week by week contract, as did Calderwood. Lost most of his star names, fortunately. Lost his most influential striker early Forced to play a kid on his own up front but still got results. Spent limited funds in January wisely continued to gain results and top of the league. gelled his squad together despite difficult periods of losing further influential players, Taylor, Barton, Colo, Enrique, Smith etc Improved the standard of football especially at hoime as season has gone on. ONLY LOST FOUR LEAGUE GAMES ALL SEASON Only lost once in thne last 26 league games. Despite losing quality defenders, has best defensive record in the division Has the only unbeaten home record in all divisions will be promoted with at least 5 games of the season left to play. Possibly smash 100 points record and 90 goals for season AND YOU GRUDGINGLY DEEM SOME CREDIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mate, you know jackshit about football and would be more suited to ready steady go or whatever those philistines 12 miles down the road are called.

Hughton has been nothing short of magnificent this season and those on here who criticise the bloke have absolutely no idea what is involved in management, in any form of business. I think that given a reasonable amount of money and the right purchases, Hughton will succeed in the PL in comfortably surviving the first season. His man management skills are clearly there to be seen and his communication to all and sundry is admirable. Some also here point to the considerable support he has received from Calderwood and we might just have the birth of an excellent management team for the future, something this club of ours has been crying out for eons.

Danny Fox is a good shout, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't settle for back-up. Steven Fletcher is a decent striker, but I'm not sure if it's better than anything we've currently got. All the Evertonians down here, say that Hibbert's a liability - that's why Neville is preferred. 'Rabbit caught in the headlights' and 'hot potato' are phrases associated with Hibbert. Forest right back looked decent on Monday and if Forest don't go up, he might be tempted in hading a transfer request if we bid for him. Financially wise, Boro wouildnt get anywhere near that much for Wheater and if they want to gain promotion next season, they are going to have to sell to buy. Hibbert is not the best option but is highly experienced and no nonsense type player. Neville is in their because he is the captain and not much better than Hibbert to be honest. I am sure Danny Fox would prefer to be vying for a place in the first team of a PL club than in the CCC with a struggling team. Yes, agreed about Perch, but my reasoning behind Hibbert rather than Perch is his experience in the PL might well be invaluable as opposed to another inexperienced right back.

It would be a mistake to sell too many players. I my opinion, we onmly need to sell 2 or 3 maximum, as long as we get 5 or 6 in. We are still light on squad wise and for some of our youngsters to progress further like Kadar and Ranger, we need to send them out on loan to a top CCC club for a season whilst we bring players in to supplement their absence. In: Hibbert, Wheater, Fox, Maynard, Driver and Scharner Out: Butt, Best, possibly Saylor Loaned: Xisco, Ranger, Kadar Overall expenditure: 10 million pounds max with the reaminder of income offset againsat debt, loans and salaries. I believe our squad will be efficient enough for mid table next season and then the season after, we can look to improve further for an assault on a EUFA cup spot.

I would think Scharner could be the man for the defensive role in the centre of midfield. I would also like Andy Driver from Hearts Maynard from Bristol City Wheater from Boro Hibbert from Everton (nothing fancy but an experienced PL right back) If Burnley go down, Danny Fox as back up to Jose So, Scharner, Fox, Wheater, Hibbert, Driver and Maynard would probably cost us about 15 million quid. Sell Taylor to Everton for 8 million, net deficit spent of 7 million and the squad has been improved in all areas. Ohh, and we save another 50K a week when Butt retires. If anyone will give us a million for Best, grab their hands off.

Beat Forest tomorrow night and I cannot see them getting more than a point at Bristol. If we beat Peterbrough, we are up.

Oh yes, Mowbray who has just murdered Celtic, Curbishley who is l;argely responsible for putting WHU where they are now and Grant who looks like his face has been shagged by a double decker bus. Great choices. Not forgetting Hughes, Van Gaal and Jol who are either unobtainable or would want millions to spend, which we havent got yet. Great choices mate. Stick with what we have and have faith in the bloke. i think u misunderstood me. thats my point. i'm saying mowbray and curbs are the quality thats available and would be no guarantee of doing any better than hughton. the likes of hughes van gaal and hughes are a step up but probably out of our reach. so if we cant get a great proven manager - then stick with hughton rather than take a punt on some joe average. No worries, mate, my apologies

edit; I might WITHOUT us scoring

The trick to this game is retention of possession. If we allow them too much possession, they haver decent pace and could hurt us. However, if we can retain possessioin ourselves, I see us as a more creative team. We need to come out of the blocks hard from the start and if we can get that early goal, we will win. If not, the longer the games goes on with us scoring, we might struggle.

I'm not sure he did s*** in the first 2 1/2 years, his first year gave us an improved league position. He's had 1 poor season and we look like we're putting that one right this season. The club is heading in the right direction and Ashley has to be given some of the credit for that, just like he was given stick when we were relegated. Mick, dont be silly mate. You cant expect some on here to recognise the difference between woods and trees, can you? They prefer to live in the past and toss their dummies out of the pram.

I work with a lad who supports them and says they'll get a good stuffing. He also reckons that promotion would be more of a hinderence on their progression as he doesn't believe they're ready for it. Funny you should say that because I read somewhere today that most WBA fans think the same thing about their team. Seems as though they are all having too much fun in the CCC.

He doesnt set the team up to score shitloads of goals away, like most other teams and as far as I can recall, dont we have the best away record in the division or second best?

Grow up, man. Ditto, Yorkie